LATVIA – HEALTH & WELFARE
The group’s sickness rates in two cities have passed the paediatric threshold – as a result, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control announced the start of an influenza epidemic on 8 December. An atypically high number of patients with symptoms of respiratory tract infections and pneumonia have also been recorded.
The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports, that the number of patients with suspected flu has increased by 88.1% since mid-November.
On average, 64.9 cases of influenza per 100,000 inhabitants have been registered in the country. In two cities the rate exceeded the epidemiological threshold: in Riga (144.2 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants) and in Jurmala (125.9 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants).
In connection with this it was decided to declare an epidemic of influenza from December 8.
The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control notes that over the last two weeks there has been a sharp increase (28.7%) in the number of patients seeking help for acute respiratory tract infection symptoms. In Riga, Jekabpils and Valmiera the figures are higher than the national average (3327.6 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants in Riga, 2763.1 in Jekabpils and 2626 in Valmiera). The highest intensity of morbidity is observed in children, especially in the age group of 0-4 years old.
During the last three weeks there is a sharp increase in the number of patients with pneumonia – by 98.5% compared to the beginning of November.
The department says that compared to previous years, the number of detected cases of pneumonia is atypically high. Eight patients are being treated as inpatients for influenza. Another 23 patients have been hospitalised to confirm the diagnosis.
